Conversations with Toi

Sometimes life moves so fast that we forget to leave room for a little dilly dallying. This week on Conversations with Toi, Toi explores why slowing down, embracing joy, and being intentional with your time matters more than ever. From creating a Thanksgiving Day plan that reduces stress and increases gratitude to discussing the lessons behind the "Blue Tsunami" and other current reflections, this episode is a reminder that balance isn't found by accident. Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join the conversation.

Follow me on the blog www.toitime.org and on all socials as @toitimeblog

This conversation highlights the power of education, representation, and community in the wine and hospitality industry. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from a federal career to hospitality, discussing how major life and career transitions led her to pursue a new path fueled by passion and purpose. She explains why scholarship opportunities are so critical, making professional wine education and in-person training accessible when costs might otherwise be out of reach.

Michelle also reflects on the cultural significance of wine, describing it as a symbol of connection, gathering, and community rooted in her upbringing. She discusses how specialized education helps build credibility and authority, particularly as a Black woman navigating the restaurant and wine industry.

The conversation also explores the importance of investing in future hospitality leaders. Tahiirah shares how supporters can help expand access to wine education through the Philadelphia Wine School and the Hue Society, including contributions that assist students with travel, lodging, and other resources needed to further their studies.

Tune in for an engaging discussion about career reinvention, diversity in the wine industry, the impact of mentorship and education, and the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of wine professionals. The Wine School of Philadelphia commits $10,000 annually to the program. Scholarships cover tuition, examinations and certification, plus classroom wines for the in-person course.

The Habibi Sommelier Scholarship Program is a collaboration between the Wine School of Philadelphia and The Hue Society, created to expand access to professional wine education for people historically underrepresented in the wine industry. The program provides access to professional wine courses, including the Core Sommelier Course in person in Philadelphia and the Level One Wine Course online, available nationally. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis at vinology.com/hue.

To follow me on the blog, www.toitime.org and on all socials as Toitimeblog

In this episode, I sit down with Ashlee Hollis, founder of Helm Creative Studio and Story Factory, for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, storytelling, leadership, and company culture.

Ashlee shares the journey behind building her businesses, the values that drive her work, and her approach to creating meaningful stories that connect with audiences. We also dive into what makes a great workplace culture, how she prioritizes her team, and why treating employees with respect and trust has been a key factor in her success.

What stood out most during our conversation was Ashlee's refreshing perspective on leadership and the intentional way she has built a company where creativity and people thrive together. Whether you're a business owner, creative professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, there's something valuable to take away from this conversation.

Connect with Helm Creative Studio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helmcreativestudio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/helm-creative-studio

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Ff3oFfS4nTRgakCi5RSgQ

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/helmcreativestudio

Connect with Ashlee Hollis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleeshollis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.hollis.9

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves stories, leadership, and creative entrepreneurship.

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In this episode of Conversations With Toi, we’re welcoming the radiant Ashia Collins, who brings the character Carol Evans to life in the Broadway‑bound musical Boop! — coming to Ensemble Arts Philly from November 17–29. Ashia joins us to talk about stepping into a role rooted in joy, friendship, and the kind of bold energy that makes Boop! such a vibrant, modern reimagining of an icon.

We dive into her journey as a performer, the heart behind Carol Evans, and what it means to be part of a production that blends nostalgia, empowerment, and pure theatrical fun. Ashia shares how the cast built community on and off stage, the creative process behind shaping this new musical, and why Philly audiences are in for something truly special.

We also explore the magic of Ensemble Arts Philly — how the city’s arts scene continues to uplift performers, spark connection, and create space for stories that make us feel seen. Ashia reflects on the joy of bringing Boop! to a city that shows up for theater with passion and pride. Get your tickets here: http://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/

If you love conversations about creativity, culture, and women showing up fully in their purpose, this episode will feel like a warm seat at the table. And of course, we close with a moment of intentional living — honoring the balance between ambition, artistry, and rest.

Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit ToiTime.org for more wellness, storytelling, and Philly‑centered experiences.

This week on Conversations with Toi, we’re unpacking the Cornell 57 and the very real ways men need to do better — not just in theory, but in practice. This story isn’t just a headline; it’s a mirror. It forces us to look at how accountability, empathy, and emotional maturity are still lacking in spaces where they’re needed most. I’m breaking down why these patterns keep showing up, how they impact our communities, and why we can’t afford to ignore them.

I’m also talking about the importance of taking a mental health day — especially when big news stories start to feel heavy. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is step back, breathe, and protect your peace. We don’t have to consume everything. We don’t have to carry everything. Rest is a form of resistance too.

And finally, we’re getting into the power of saying no. Not just occasionally, but regularly. Saying no to overwhelm, to guilt, to expectations that drain you. Saying no so you can say yes to yourself.

This episode is about accountability, boundaries, and choosing wellness even when the world feels loud.

For more wellness and mental health guidance, follow me on ToiTime.org and on all socials @toitimeblog.

This season opener of Conversations with Toi is all about preparing your mind, your heart, and your emotional toolkit for fall therapy — whether you’ve been in therapy for years or you’re considering starting for the very first time

As the days get shorter and the pace of life shifts, fall brings its own emotional landscape. In this episode, I’m breaking down the key themes you should bring into your therapy sessions this season: noticing early signs of seasonal depression, navigating holiday pressure, naming grief that resurfaces, slowing down with intention, and building a fall self‑care plan that actually supports you.I’m also sharing personal reflections on what I’m bringing into my own fall therapy work, because healing is seasonal — and we grow best when we grow honestly.If you’re ready to enter fall with more clarity, more grounding, and more emotional awareness, this episode is your starting point.

Explore related themes

• seasonal depression

• holiday boundaries

• emotional inventory

• seasonal self-care

Follow me on socials as Toitimblog and on the blog www.toitime.org

In this bonus episode of Conversations With Toi, we sit down with Dr. Susan Lloyd, retired Superintendent of Schools, whose extraordinary commitment to one student changed the way an entire community understood compassion, advocacy, and educational access. Her relationship with the Massi family began when their daughter, Makenna, was diagnosed with cancer in elementary school — and instead of treating her education as a logistical challenge, Dr. Lloyd made it her mission to preserve Makenna’s connection to her classmates, her learning, and her sense of normalcy.

Long before virtual learning became part of everyday life, Dr. Lloyd collaborated with hospital staff, teachers, and administrators to create innovative educational pathways for Makenna during treatment. When Makenna returned to school with a feeding tube, Dr. Lloyd wrote a heartfelt letter to students and parents that helped ease her transition and foster understanding. And when Makenna’s cancer returned, she found another groundbreaking solution: a robotic device that allowed Makenna to attend classes remotely from her hospital bed — a cutting‑edge approach that kept her engaged with her peers through seventh and eighth grade.

After Makenna’s passing, her father, Rich Massi, founded the Fight On Makenna Foundation, transforming grief into purpose and building a community-driven organization that supports families navigating pediatric cancer and loss. One of their signature events, the Bite for the Fight Food Festival, has become one of the region’s most anticipated charitable gatherings. This year’s festival takes place Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks — bringing together restaurants, breweries, wineries, and hundreds of supporters to honor Makenna’s legacy and uplift families facing unimaginable challenges.

We also take time in this episode to talk about self-love, especially the kind rooted in discipline — the daily choices, boundaries, and habits that reflect how deeply we value ourselves. As we prepare to shift into fall vibes and a new season of intention, this conversation is a reminder that showing up for yourself is one of the most powerful forms of love you can practice.

For more wellness and mental health conversations, visit www.toitime.org and follow me on all socials at @toitimeblog. And if you’re local, make sure you grab your Bite for the Fight tickets for September 19th — your support truly makes a difference.

A cancer diagnosis can turn a young adult's world upside down in an instant. In this episode, we highlight the inspiring work of the Stephen E. Codella, MD Memorial Foundation and its mission to bring comfort, support, and human connection to young adults undergoing cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

After the loss of Stephen E. Codella, MD, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at age 31 and passed away in 2022, his family transformed their grief into meaningful action. Dr. Catherine Codella, Stephen's mother and Co-Founder and Vice President of the Foundation, partnered with her sister, Christie Nicolaides, the Foundation's Artistic Director, to create a unique initiative centered on thoughtfully curated comfort gifts for young adult cancer patients.

Inspired by the sneakers Stephen loved when he was 14 years old, the Foundation created special slipper gift bags carefully assembled with personal touches, including yellow bags and ribbons recognizing sarcoma awareness and gift tags sharing Stephen's story. The goal was simple yet powerful: to let patients know they are not alone.

We discuss how this initiative began, the impact it has had on recipients, and how a small gesture can make a meaningful difference during one of life's most challenging moments. From the first distribution of 60 slipper bags to the expansion into Wawa gift certificates and portable activity kits filled with watercolor sets, puzzles, and journals, the Foundation continues to honor Stephen's legacy through acts of kindness, dignity, and compassion.

Join us for a moving conversation about resilience, family, community, and the importance of caring for the whole person, not just the illness.

To learn more about the Stephen E. Codella, MD Memorial Foundation, support its mission, or make a donation, visit: Stephen E. Codella, MD Memorial Foundation

As always you can follow me on the blog, www.toitime.org and on all socials as @toitimeblog

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, we’re sitting with a story that’s heartbreaking, infuriating, and deeply familiar to anyone who has lived through postpartum depression or supported someone who has. Hayden Panettiere’s death has reopened conversations about how poorly society responds to postpartum mental health — not just in the moment, but long after the headlines fade.

I talk about the resurfaced clips of Hayden being fired from Neutrogena because she was struggling with postpartum depression, and how even now, the public response feels muted, sanitized, and disconnected from the real weight of what she endured. As someone who started my content creation journey speaking openly about postpartum depression, this hits close. The dismissal, the lack of care, the way her pain was treated as an inconvenience — it’s a pattern too many women know firsthand.

We also get into the truth about “the village.” The village needs to tighten up. Not in theory, not in hashtags — in real, tangible ways. And yes, spouses are part of that village. Partners can be support, but they can also be triggers. We’re talking about accountability, emotional labor, and the responsibility to show up for someone who is drowning, not just when it’s convenient.

This episode is a call for compassion, awareness, and action. Postpartum depression is not a storyline. It’s not a brand issue. It’s not something women should have to survive alone. Hayden deserved better. So do the women living this right now.

Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit www.toitime.org for more conversations on wellness, intentional living, and the realities we need to stop whispering about.

In this episode of Conversations with Toi, we’re breaking down functioning depression — what it is, how it shows up, and why so many people miss the signs in themselves and others. We talk about emotional masking, over-functioning, the invisible load people carry, and accessible ways to begin supporting your mental health with intention. This is a reminder that even when you’re “doing it all,” you still deserve care.

For more mental health and wellness content, follow me on Toitime.org and on all social platforms as @toitimeblog